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Hamish Anderson Interview

At just 23 years of age, Australian guitarist Hamish Anderson is quickly becoming a name to keep an eye on. Anderson opened for BB King last year and was even mentioned as a guitarist to watch by Gary Clark Jr. Blues Rock Review caught up with Anderson to discuss his latest EP, Restless, and more.

You play a blues rock style. Coming from Australia how do you feel the blues rock scene is there?

Australia (and Melbourne in particular) has a great music scene, and so many talented musicians and bands. The blues rock scene there isn’t a huge one, but that just makes me more excited to play there. It does seem to me that people still want to see live music – so no matter what, that always works in the musician’s favor.

You recently had a chance to tour with BB King. What was that experience like?

I did open for Mr. King on two shows last year. It was an amazing experience. It was obviously an honor to do it – not only is he an inspiration to me, but he’s an inspiration to every guitarist I have been inspired by. He’s the living embodiment of the blues.  It was an honor to share several nights with him.

What’s the most memorable show you’ve ever played?

Opening for BB King in Chicago last October. It was the best and the worst night as that was notedly the night he fell ill and had to cancel the rest of the tour. But performing at the House of Blues in Chicago, opening for Mr. King and the enthusiastic, blues-loving crowd are things I will never, ever forget.

“Burn” is the latest off your latest EP. How did that song come about?

Burn was written quickly. I wrote the opening lines first and then from that I knew I wanted a big riff to carry the song so that came out next. I just wanted to write a big blues rocker…

Do you write from personal experiences or find inspiration in other areas?

I feel my writing is most honest when I write about human behavior, especially relationships and feelings. The main themes that run through it are friendships, relationships, and occasionally losses of them.

To me it’s more of a snapshot of where I am at the time of writing. I feel the I am always trying to grow musically so each EP is sort of a representation of what is inspiring me at the time, whether it be music, friendship, relationships, traveling etc.

Are you currently working on any new material?

Yes, I have been writing and will begin recording some songs for my upcoming album later this month.

Describe your music in one word.

Eclectic 

What’s currently on your IPOD?

Borns, D’Angelo, Frank Ocean, Alabama Shakes, Albert King, Clapton, and Father John Misty. I have been listening to The Band alot, too – in fact, I just visited the Big Pink House in Woodstock after I performed on Radio Woodstock. It was pretty epic to drive up that road and see the home they recorded the Basement Sessions in with Bob Dylan.

If you could play any venue what would it be?

Royal Albert Hall in the United Kingdom, just to be a part of the history of people who have played there would be epic for me.

Interview by Pete Francis

Tour Dates

6/4 Iridium Jazz Fest, New York City

6/5 The Saint, Ashbury Park, NJ

7/12 Festival D’ete De Quebec, Quebec City, Canada

7/13 Festival D’ete De Quebec,Quebec City, Canada

7/14 Rbc Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa, Canada

7/23 The Mint, Los Angeles, CA

7/24 House Of Blues, Voodoo Room, San Diego, CA

7/26 The Sand Bar, Half Moon Bay, CA

7/27 Yoshi’s, Oakland, CA

7/28, Bluesday Festival, Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe, CA

Pete Francis

Pete Francis is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Blues Rock Review. Pete founded Blues Rock Review in 2010 because he felt there was a major void in how the blues rock genre was covered. Pete is the host of Blues Rock Weekly and a co-host on the Blues Rock Show.

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